Side by Side After Suicide
Our Side by Side After Suicide event takes place in Edinburgh on 06 September for anyone bereaved by suicide to commemorate and connect.
Hello & welcome
Side by Side After Suicide, is an opportunity for people bereaved by suicide to come together, to commemorate those they have lost to suicide.
Participants will also be able to hear from people bereaved by suicide about projects which have helped them and to connect with others who are part of the suicide community.
We hope that this event will help to build connections for people who have been bereaved by suicide and help to break down the associated stigma.
What you need to know
Here's a rundown of what to expect at our Side by Side event.
When: Saturday 06 September 2025, 10am-2.30pm
Where: Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT
Who: This event is open to anyone who has been bereaved by suicide
Accessibility: A range of measures will be in place to support the conference being accessible and inclusive. Please see fuller details at the end of this invite. If you have any specific accessibility needs, please let us know when you are booking your place to attend or contact craig.wilson@gov.scot
Booking a place: Click here to book on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
Refreshments: These will be provided during the day along with a buffet lunch. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know when you are booking your place
Transport: There is on street parking around the venue. Public transport options are available - click here
Focus for the day
The event will provide an opportunity to connect with others who have been bereaved by suicide.
It will also provide an opportunity to hear some reflections about the Baton of Hope and to find out about what support is available through our network of organisations.
You are welcome to come and go throughout the day and only attend the sessions you wish. The agenda is set out to help with your planning.
Agenda
10.00am Coffee and arrival
10.30am Welcome and connecting with people in the room
11.00am Reflections on carrying the Baton of Hope
11.30am Craft and (gentle) walk
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Music session
2.00pm Memorial service
2.30pm Close
Making our events accessible
Creating a space where everyone can feel safe
On the day we will:
Be thoughtful about our words and actions and ask participants and speakers to offer us feedback
Talk about stigma and discrimination and offer ways for you to do the same, on your own terms
Set up rooms so there is space for people's walking aids and wheelchairs and provide time to move around the venue between workshops and parts of the day,
Provide hearing loops throughout the events space,
Include clear descriptions of what to expect and the main content of workshops
Have an open-door policy at all times, so you can join and leave when that works for you
Offer quiet spaces to relax or take time out, away from the main agenda
Have listening volunteers who will be able to spend time with you talking through anything that comes up through the event that you want to talk through or support you to give any feedback about the event
If there is anything else we can do to help you attend on the day, please note this on Eventbrite while booking or contact craig.wilson@gov.scot to let us know.
We may be in touch with you directly to discuss your requests, but we will never ask for any proof or reasoning behind an access request.
You can request anything that will make your experience better and we will do our best to meet any requests.
For example, we could provide large print and audio versions of materials, British Sign Language interpretation, and captioning.
Of course, all requests will be kept private.
We do ask you to make any request at least two weeks before the event - thank you!
Terminology
Suicide Prevention Scotland recognises that terminology and labels used to refer to social groups and experiences is ethically and politically complex, can be harmful and is subject to debate and update.
Throughout the event, we will use the terminology partners themselves or cited publications have used to refer to the communities they are led by or referring to.
We are committed to continually engaging with this critical debate to understand and mitigate harm.